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The Lords of Worth #2
A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find
HE THOUGHT HE'D SEEN IT ALL . . .
The rogue's life has been good to William Somerhall: He has his fortune, his racehorses, and his freedom. Then he moves in with his mother. It seems the eccentric Dowager Duchess of Worth has been barely skirting social disaster-assisted by one Miss Jenna Hughes, who is far too bright and beautiful to be wasting her youth as a paid companion. Now home to keep his mother from ruin, William intends to learn what's afoot by keeping his friends close-and the tempting Miss Hughes closer still.
. . . UNTIL HE MEETS HER
He's tall, dark, and damnably intelligent-unfortunately for Jenna. She and the duchess are in the "redistribution business," taking from the rich and giving to the poor, and it's going great - until he shows up. But even as William plots to make an honest woman out of her, Jenna will use all her wiles to reveal just how bad a rogue he can be . . .
The rogue's life has been good to William Somerhall: He has his fortune, his racehorses, and his freedom. Then he moves in with his mother. It seems the eccentric Dowager Duchess of Worth has been barely skirting social disaster-assisted by one Miss Jenna Hughes, who is far too bright and beautiful to be wasting her youth as a paid companion. Now home to keep his mother from ruin, William intends to learn what's afoot by keeping his friends close-and the tempting Miss Hughes closer still.
. . . UNTIL HE MEETS HER
He's tall, dark, and damnably intelligent-unfortunately for Jenna. She and the duchess are in the "redistribution business," taking from the rich and giving to the poor, and it's going great - until he shows up. But even as William plots to make an honest woman out of her, Jenna will use all her wiles to reveal just how bad a rogue he can be . . .
342 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
137 people are currently reading
1251 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Bowen
20 books1,364 followersAward-winning author Kelly Bowen attended the University of Manitoba, earning a BSc & MSc in veterinary studies. She worked as a research scientist before realizing her dream to write historical fiction. Currently, Kelly lives with her family in Winnipeg, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
September 13, 2016
I've given this a B at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars
I was only a few pages into A Good Rogue is Hard to Find when it became clear that in Kelly Bowen, I’d found a new author worth watching. Most of the débuts and follow-ups I’ve read over the past couple of years have been average at best, but this, Ms Bowen’s second book, is a very accomplished piece of work. It’s full of warmth, humour and intelligence, the characters are likeable and well-rounded and the author has managed to find an unusual plotline that, while it does require rather a sizeable suspension of disbelief, is handled so well as to make it possible for the reader to accept it and just go with the flow.
William Sommerhall, Duke of Worth, is handsome, charming and wealthy, and lives a carefree life among his many friends and acquaintances in London. He inherited his title some years previously, but the responsibilities and trappings accompanying it don’t interest him and he relies on his various secretaries and stewards to run his estates, thus leaving him more time to devote to his passion for breeding racehorses. But the recent escalation of the gossip about his mother’s eccentricities has become too much for him to bear and he decides he must go home in order to try to curb her excesses.
Will arrives at the Dower House on his Breckenridge estate to find it in uproar following the unexpected appearance of a number of Her Grace’s raucous “pet” chickens and a snake named Philip at one of her regular dinner parties. Not only that, but he finds himself face to face with the young woman who has haunted his dreams following their brief meeting at a ball a few months earlier and for whom he’s been searching ever since - (I assume this happened in the previous book, I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, which I haven’t read). He is even more stunned to discover that she’s his mother’s companion.
Having experienced the complete chaos of his mother’s household first hand, there’s only one thing for Will to do – move in, straighten out the finances, make sure her rather rag-tag bunch of servants are doing right by her, and try to get her to see that she’s just a step away from social ostracism.
For Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Worth and her companion, Miss Jenna Hughes, the duke’s sudden interest in his mother’s affairs couldn’t have come at a worse time. This is where that required suspension of disbelief I mentioned earlier comes in, because the ladies are in fact in the process of organising a massive scam, which is due to come to fruition in a matter of weeks and which they must keep hidden from Will at all costs.
Jenna is charged with coming up with ways to distract the duke while she and the duchess continue making their plans, so she suggests that he starts his review of the estate finances as soon as possible, knowing that the elderly, deaf secretary, George, will keep him occupied for several days at least. But Will isn’t so easily diverted and much to Jenna’s annoyance, proves himself to be very shrewd and surprisingly intelligent. He knows there is something iffy going on and Jenna, realising how tenacious he is, slowly and at first reluctantly, lets him in on part of the secret. She and his mother are waging a clandestine war against those heedless members of the nobility who repeatedly fail to honour their debts, leading to hardship and ruin for many honest, hardworking men and women – but whom the law cannot touch:
… the peerage had devised a robust system of laws to punish cheats and debtors while the peers themselves remained largely immune…
The first part of the story is a frothy delight as Jenna and the dowager lead Will a merry dance in their attempts to pull the wool over his eyes. His sometimes sulky reactions are surprisingly cute, and it’s impossible to dislike him when he points out how much he hates it when people never look beyond his title and admittedly hefty bank balance.
Jenna and Will are wonderful together. Their verbal exchanges are full of wit and subtle humour and the attraction between them is palpable. Their relationship progresses at a sensible pace, and it’s this gradual growth of the emotion between them and the way the author imbues it with a degree of realism that makes it easy to overlook the rather unlikely premise of the story. But what starts out as a light-hearted, fluffy read treads a darker path in the second half, which takes a slightly longer than normal look at class differences in nineteenth century England, and at the grim realities faced by those people whose lives were ruined by the selfishness of others. It’s here that the full extent of the plans being hatched by Jenna and the duchess are finally revealed – and it’s something that Will, even with his new-found appreciation for what the ladies are doing – finds almost impossible to stomach.
Although Will, Jenna and the dowager are all engaging and well-written characters, the star of the book is undoubtedly Will, who grows and matures a lot throughout the story. At first, Jenna thinks of him in much the same way as everyone else who knows him, as “a beautiful fribble of a man”, just like any other aristocrat who treats privilege as his due, is oblivious to how lucky he really is and is uninterested in the suffering of others. At the beginning of the book, Will is a little pompous and tends to see everything in black and white – but as the story progresses, he is brought to acknowledge the advantages of his position and starts to see that perhaps his view has been too simplistic. His is not so much a change of heart as it is a re-alignment of it, so that his evolution from being a man who doesn’t know enough about the life of the poor to care about it, to one who wants to help is absolutely convincing.
Eleanor, too, is a complex character, a woman whose husband treated her abominably and whose life had been one of quiet endurance until his death. After that, she cultivated a reputation for eccentricity, hiding her keen intelligence and ability to strategize as well as any military general behind the façade of a dotty old woman so that nobody would ever suspect what she was up to. The moment late in the book when Will realises this, and what it must have cost her to allow everyone to believe she is so much less than she really is, is beautifully done and very poignant.
Ms Bowen’s writing is assured, displaying a deftness of touch and seemingly effortless flow that drew me in completely from the first page. A Good Rogue is Hard to Find isn’t a perfect book, but it’s an enjoyable one, and I’m eagerly looking forward to whatever the author does next.
I was only a few pages into A Good Rogue is Hard to Find when it became clear that in Kelly Bowen, I’d found a new author worth watching. Most of the débuts and follow-ups I’ve read over the past couple of years have been average at best, but this, Ms Bowen’s second book, is a very accomplished piece of work. It’s full of warmth, humour and intelligence, the characters are likeable and well-rounded and the author has managed to find an unusual plotline that, while it does require rather a sizeable suspension of disbelief, is handled so well as to make it possible for the reader to accept it and just go with the flow.
William Sommerhall, Duke of Worth, is handsome, charming and wealthy, and lives a carefree life among his many friends and acquaintances in London. He inherited his title some years previously, but the responsibilities and trappings accompanying it don’t interest him and he relies on his various secretaries and stewards to run his estates, thus leaving him more time to devote to his passion for breeding racehorses. But the recent escalation of the gossip about his mother’s eccentricities has become too much for him to bear and he decides he must go home in order to try to curb her excesses.
Will arrives at the Dower House on his Breckenridge estate to find it in uproar following the unexpected appearance of a number of Her Grace’s raucous “pet” chickens and a snake named Philip at one of her regular dinner parties. Not only that, but he finds himself face to face with the young woman who has haunted his dreams following their brief meeting at a ball a few months earlier and for whom he’s been searching ever since - (I assume this happened in the previous book, I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, which I haven’t read). He is even more stunned to discover that she’s his mother’s companion.
Having experienced the complete chaos of his mother’s household first hand, there’s only one thing for Will to do – move in, straighten out the finances, make sure her rather rag-tag bunch of servants are doing right by her, and try to get her to see that she’s just a step away from social ostracism.
For Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Worth and her companion, Miss Jenna Hughes, the duke’s sudden interest in his mother’s affairs couldn’t have come at a worse time. This is where that required suspension of disbelief I mentioned earlier comes in, because the ladies are in fact in the process of organising a massive scam, which is due to come to fruition in a matter of weeks and which they must keep hidden from Will at all costs.
Jenna is charged with coming up with ways to distract the duke while she and the duchess continue making their plans, so she suggests that he starts his review of the estate finances as soon as possible, knowing that the elderly, deaf secretary, George, will keep him occupied for several days at least. But Will isn’t so easily diverted and much to Jenna’s annoyance, proves himself to be very shrewd and surprisingly intelligent. He knows there is something iffy going on and Jenna, realising how tenacious he is, slowly and at first reluctantly, lets him in on part of the secret. She and his mother are waging a clandestine war against those heedless members of the nobility who repeatedly fail to honour their debts, leading to hardship and ruin for many honest, hardworking men and women – but whom the law cannot touch:
… the peerage had devised a robust system of laws to punish cheats and debtors while the peers themselves remained largely immune…
The first part of the story is a frothy delight as Jenna and the dowager lead Will a merry dance in their attempts to pull the wool over his eyes. His sometimes sulky reactions are surprisingly cute, and it’s impossible to dislike him when he points out how much he hates it when people never look beyond his title and admittedly hefty bank balance.
Jenna and Will are wonderful together. Their verbal exchanges are full of wit and subtle humour and the attraction between them is palpable. Their relationship progresses at a sensible pace, and it’s this gradual growth of the emotion between them and the way the author imbues it with a degree of realism that makes it easy to overlook the rather unlikely premise of the story. But what starts out as a light-hearted, fluffy read treads a darker path in the second half, which takes a slightly longer than normal look at class differences in nineteenth century England, and at the grim realities faced by those people whose lives were ruined by the selfishness of others. It’s here that the full extent of the plans being hatched by Jenna and the duchess are finally revealed – and it’s something that Will, even with his new-found appreciation for what the ladies are doing – finds almost impossible to stomach.
Although Will, Jenna and the dowager are all engaging and well-written characters, the star of the book is undoubtedly Will, who grows and matures a lot throughout the story. At first, Jenna thinks of him in much the same way as everyone else who knows him, as “a beautiful fribble of a man”, just like any other aristocrat who treats privilege as his due, is oblivious to how lucky he really is and is uninterested in the suffering of others. At the beginning of the book, Will is a little pompous and tends to see everything in black and white – but as the story progresses, he is brought to acknowledge the advantages of his position and starts to see that perhaps his view has been too simplistic. His is not so much a change of heart as it is a re-alignment of it, so that his evolution from being a man who doesn’t know enough about the life of the poor to care about it, to one who wants to help is absolutely convincing.
Eleanor, too, is a complex character, a woman whose husband treated her abominably and whose life had been one of quiet endurance until his death. After that, she cultivated a reputation for eccentricity, hiding her keen intelligence and ability to strategize as well as any military general behind the façade of a dotty old woman so that nobody would ever suspect what she was up to. The moment late in the book when Will realises this, and what it must have cost her to allow everyone to believe she is so much less than she really is, is beautifully done and very poignant.
Ms Bowen’s writing is assured, displaying a deftness of touch and seemingly effortless flow that drew me in completely from the first page. A Good Rogue is Hard to Find isn’t a perfect book, but it’s an enjoyable one, and I’m eagerly looking forward to whatever the author does next.
October 17, 2017
This was a re-read, but my first review for the book. And I loved it just as much the second time around:)
The heroine, Jenna, is marvellous. Intelligent, independent, resourceful beautiful and idealistic, she is running a campaign together with the Dowager Duchess (the hero's mum) to recover money owed by aristocrats to impoverished tradespeople. The hero Will (a duke, of course), is wonderful- attractive, compassionate and struggling to find some point to his title, and indeed, to his life.
There were many things I enjoyed in this story.
I was fascinated with all the descriptions of the world of horse-racing, as it was in those days. I am not a horse-racing fan (vegan and all that) but KB really succeeded in creating the atmosphere of the betting ring and the race-track, with the attendant rules of the Jockey Club and so on.
I was intrigued by the concept of an entitled, wealthy aristocracy that thought nothing of not paying money owed to tradesmen and dressmakers, thereby pushing them into poverty and often destitution, while at the same time never for a moment thinking of reneging on wagers made with other aristocrats. These were debts of HONOUR. Money owed to the lower classes? Irrelevant.
I chuckled at the efforts of the Dowager to play the eccentric upper-class twit in order to fool people and facilitate her campaign for justice- she was so funny.
I laughed at the hero's complete flabbergasted disbelief and struggle to understand his "crazy" mum and all that seemed to be going on in her house. Often, he was speechless and gob-smacked. It was hilarious.
I loved Jenna's courage and selflessness, her commitment to her cause, even if it meant destroying any possibility of a HEA with the man she had fallen in love with.
And I loved the hero's bumbling attempts to find himself, to find his purpose and finally, his earnest plea: I want to be a better man, once he realises his ignorance and self-absorption have hidden the reality of life in the poorer parts of London from him. He is painted as a very typical rich young aristocrat, although he does have a dark past and there were nasty family issues that he had clearly repressed to an extent, so that he would not have to think about them too much or feel too guilty.
This is an HR, and this genre is technically a "light read", but the story moved me. Jenna's faith in Will made the difference. They absolutely deserved their HEA.
It is definitely worth reading the first book in the series, I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm before this one because it is also a terrific story.
Don't let the silly titles put you off:)
The heroine, Jenna, is marvellous. Intelligent, independent, resourceful beautiful and idealistic, she is running a campaign together with the Dowager Duchess (the hero's mum) to recover money owed by aristocrats to impoverished tradespeople. The hero Will (a duke, of course), is wonderful- attractive, compassionate and struggling to find some point to his title, and indeed, to his life.
There were many things I enjoyed in this story.
I was fascinated with all the descriptions of the world of horse-racing, as it was in those days. I am not a horse-racing fan (vegan and all that) but KB really succeeded in creating the atmosphere of the betting ring and the race-track, with the attendant rules of the Jockey Club and so on.
I was intrigued by the concept of an entitled, wealthy aristocracy that thought nothing of not paying money owed to tradesmen and dressmakers, thereby pushing them into poverty and often destitution, while at the same time never for a moment thinking of reneging on wagers made with other aristocrats. These were debts of HONOUR. Money owed to the lower classes? Irrelevant.
I chuckled at the efforts of the Dowager to play the eccentric upper-class twit in order to fool people and facilitate her campaign for justice- she was so funny.
I laughed at the hero's complete flabbergasted disbelief and struggle to understand his "crazy" mum and all that seemed to be going on in her house. Often, he was speechless and gob-smacked. It was hilarious.
I loved Jenna's courage and selflessness, her commitment to her cause, even if it meant destroying any possibility of a HEA with the man she had fallen in love with.
And I loved the hero's bumbling attempts to find himself, to find his purpose and finally, his earnest plea: I want to be a better man, once he realises his ignorance and self-absorption have hidden the reality of life in the poorer parts of London from him. He is painted as a very typical rich young aristocrat, although he does have a dark past and there were nasty family issues that he had clearly repressed to an extent, so that he would not have to think about them too much or feel too guilty.
This is an HR, and this genre is technically a "light read", but the story moved me. Jenna's faith in Will made the difference. They absolutely deserved their HEA.
It is definitely worth reading the first book in the series, I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm before this one because it is also a terrific story.
Don't let the silly titles put you off:)
April 29, 2015
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
William is a high ranking duke who finds all the trappings that come along with the title more annoying than enjoyable. All he wants to do is be left alone to ride, breed, and race his horses but when talk about his mother's eccentrics starts to get louder, he decides it's time to assert his presence. Jenna is his mother's companion and the mysterious captivating lady he meet at a ball. Her mannerisms and personality in public and private don't quite match up and what she is really doing with his mother starts to become a question William finds himself asking. Jenna may be more than just his mother's wallflower companion and William might just be more than a duke.
A Good Rogue is Hard to Find is second in the Lords of Worth series from new author Kelly Bowen and if you ignore the overly common historical romance title (I don't consider this hero a rogue but can a regency romance exist without rogue in the title?) there is some surprisingly good depth to this story. I didn't feel the story was especially ground breaking but our couple was level headed and shared a bond that was easy to feel to me as the reader. There was an ease to the writing and flow to the story and characters that was enjoyable to read, certain aspects felt a little implausible in regards to Jenna and William's mother mission to avenge the poor but not so much that I wasn't willing to go along with it all. The beginning was a little slow moving for me but the story picked up speed around 45% in when William and Jenna started to come together and be a little feisty.
William was a good character in that he at first fit the role of his times, oblivious to his privileges. He focuses on his horses because he can and maybe a bit sulky because he is annoyed with how everyone only views him as a duke and not as a singular man. When he finds out what his mother and Jenna is involved in, he is awakened to his advantages. The world suddenly becomes grey for him and I thought his evolution was believable and impactful. Jenna was the forceful, feisty, avenging angel character but with more realism, thought, and useful action behind her. The network and how she goes about getting aristocrats to pay back their debts to merchants with the help of William's mother may not be wholly believable but it was valuable in its effectiveness. When William and Jenna start to come together and the tangled weave of Jenna's actions starts to get unraveled by William, the couple shone. There was good emotion between the two and their dialogue was tinged with sweet humor. William being outwitted by his mother and Jenna and being lead on a merry chase was also entertaining to read. The best aspect though, was how William grew as a character with Jenna's influence; they didn't complete each other so much as made each other better.
I loved the character of William's mother, Eleanor, and her backstory of being oppressed by her husband and how she has cultivated the reputation of being a head in the clouds eccentric only to rival any military general with her network of spies and soldiers helping her to bring aristocrats to her quiet form of justice. There is a story of quiet enduring, surviving, and thriving behind her that was pushed a little more to the side than I wanted but probably warranted; I hope she gets a novella and a happy ever after. There were at times I thought the author got a bit heavy handed with the righteousness of the poor versus the rich. It was a bit manipulative with the sob stories, guilt, and wanting to punish when William sits in the House of Lords and is a powerful duke, he has the power to truly change things and Jenna kind of ignored that in favor of being a feel good vigilante.
With this being a new author I was impressed with the quality of writing and the emotion between our couple, I just wish there had been more of it. Ultimately, the main message of the characters and their desire to be seen as more than who they are represented to be and instead who they honestly are was heartfelt. This author has promise and I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series starring William's sister and his friend.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
William is a high ranking duke who finds all the trappings that come along with the title more annoying than enjoyable. All he wants to do is be left alone to ride, breed, and race his horses but when talk about his mother's eccentrics starts to get louder, he decides it's time to assert his presence. Jenna is his mother's companion and the mysterious captivating lady he meet at a ball. Her mannerisms and personality in public and private don't quite match up and what she is really doing with his mother starts to become a question William finds himself asking. Jenna may be more than just his mother's wallflower companion and William might just be more than a duke.
A Good Rogue is Hard to Find is second in the Lords of Worth series from new author Kelly Bowen and if you ignore the overly common historical romance title (I don't consider this hero a rogue but can a regency romance exist without rogue in the title?) there is some surprisingly good depth to this story. I didn't feel the story was especially ground breaking but our couple was level headed and shared a bond that was easy to feel to me as the reader. There was an ease to the writing and flow to the story and characters that was enjoyable to read, certain aspects felt a little implausible in regards to Jenna and William's mother mission to avenge the poor but not so much that I wasn't willing to go along with it all. The beginning was a little slow moving for me but the story picked up speed around 45% in when William and Jenna started to come together and be a little feisty.
William was a good character in that he at first fit the role of his times, oblivious to his privileges. He focuses on his horses because he can and maybe a bit sulky because he is annoyed with how everyone only views him as a duke and not as a singular man. When he finds out what his mother and Jenna is involved in, he is awakened to his advantages. The world suddenly becomes grey for him and I thought his evolution was believable and impactful. Jenna was the forceful, feisty, avenging angel character but with more realism, thought, and useful action behind her. The network and how she goes about getting aristocrats to pay back their debts to merchants with the help of William's mother may not be wholly believable but it was valuable in its effectiveness. When William and Jenna start to come together and the tangled weave of Jenna's actions starts to get unraveled by William, the couple shone. There was good emotion between the two and their dialogue was tinged with sweet humor. William being outwitted by his mother and Jenna and being lead on a merry chase was also entertaining to read. The best aspect though, was how William grew as a character with Jenna's influence; they didn't complete each other so much as made each other better.
I loved the character of William's mother, Eleanor, and her backstory of being oppressed by her husband and how she has cultivated the reputation of being a head in the clouds eccentric only to rival any military general with her network of spies and soldiers helping her to bring aristocrats to her quiet form of justice. There is a story of quiet enduring, surviving, and thriving behind her that was pushed a little more to the side than I wanted but probably warranted; I hope she gets a novella and a happy ever after. There were at times I thought the author got a bit heavy handed with the righteousness of the poor versus the rich. It was a bit manipulative with the sob stories, guilt, and wanting to punish when William sits in the House of Lords and is a powerful duke, he has the power to truly change things and Jenna kind of ignored that in favor of being a feel good vigilante.
With this being a new author I was impressed with the quality of writing and the emotion between our couple, I just wish there had been more of it. Ultimately, the main message of the characters and their desire to be seen as more than who they are represented to be and instead who they honestly are was heartfelt. This author has promise and I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series starring William's sister and his friend.
October 17, 2017
Emotionally compelling. Well balanced between details, story and character development. This was a lovely read from beginning to end. In every story I have read of Bowen's thus far, the beginning has grabbed me right away. This one actually had a page or two of something normal. Just two guys, lamenting their (lofty) lot in life, the Duke reluctantly deciding he must (tardily) go to his mother's dinner party. Enter mayhem.
The reader gets to experience the understanding and unfolding of said mayhem with our clueless hero. What is going on? What happened? Why? Who is Phillip? Resolve sets in for the hero, and Will decides to move in to the dowager house and no longer take the easy, oblivious role in concerns of his mother. This does not serve the purpose of the Duchess or her companion, Jenna, at all. Much redirection and sidestepping occurs as Will slowly evolves from a detached aristocrat to purposeful man. His transformation in this novel was the icing on the cake and wonderfully done.
One thing I loved was how in the midst of a Duke and aristocratic splendor, Bowen shows us the working class and its struggles. There were some realistic, throat-swallowing, vivid scenes with regards to tradesmen and their families who had fallen on hard times, which was in juxtaposition with a compelling burgeoning romantic connection between the two leads.
It wasn't perfect, but what it got right it did really well. The ending was perhaps too neat, and the gray area between right and wrong may have been too muddled. As a reader, I definitely felt a greater connection with the hero, though I liked the heroine. I read this as part of a BR with Loriidae and Ursula, which was very fun. The discussion brought to light some of nuances of the story that I may not have seen on my own. Thanks ladies! All in all, a good read that I would recommend to most HR readers.
The reader gets to experience the understanding and unfolding of said mayhem with our clueless hero. What is going on? What happened? Why? Who is Phillip? Resolve sets in for the hero, and Will decides to move in to the dowager house and no longer take the easy, oblivious role in concerns of his mother. This does not serve the purpose of the Duchess or her companion, Jenna, at all. Much redirection and sidestepping occurs as Will slowly evolves from a detached aristocrat to purposeful man. His transformation in this novel was the icing on the cake and wonderfully done.
One thing I loved was how in the midst of a Duke and aristocratic splendor, Bowen shows us the working class and its struggles. There were some realistic, throat-swallowing, vivid scenes with regards to tradesmen and their families who had fallen on hard times, which was in juxtaposition with a compelling burgeoning romantic connection between the two leads.
It wasn't perfect, but what it got right it did really well. The ending was perhaps too neat, and the gray area between right and wrong may have been too muddled. As a reader, I definitely felt a greater connection with the hero, though I liked the heroine. I read this as part of a BR with Loriidae and Ursula, which was very fun. The discussion brought to light some of nuances of the story that I may not have seen on my own. Thanks ladies! All in all, a good read that I would recommend to most HR readers.
June 26, 2015
This is what I call and wonderful, wonderful historical romance!!!!
And intelligent heroine and an intelligent (but utterly confused) hero! What a couple!! Yeahh!!!
I love how Ms. Bowen writes and her dialogues are amazing!
Jenna is fantastic. It's abvious since the previous book that she and the Dowager Duchess are keeping big secrets!
The opening of the story is hilarious with the hero, Will, eavesdropping a conversation between them and understanding all the contrary of they'we talking about! While trying to defend his mother against some not better identified menace with a frilly parasol! LMAO!!!
Will is smitten with Jenna and his actions because of that are completly of of his character, but all the more fun because of that!
Janna is very clever and uses this attraction to avoid his questions and to distract him. And how she does it is fantastic!
But Will is not an idiot and he's aware since the beginning that something is hapening under his nose, and, after some very funny occurances, gets what's happeing!
The love story between Jenna and Will is sigh-worthy! Neither of them denies it and their passion if straitforward and hot.
But, besides the attraction and passion they connect very deeply emotionally, when Will understand and agrres on what Jenna and his mother are doing and grows because of that understanding; and when Jenna acknowledge Will's goodness and true compassion.
A wonderful wonderful romance I would recommand to everybody who loves a deeply touching, but at the same time fun romance!
And intelligent heroine and an intelligent (but utterly confused) hero! What a couple!! Yeahh!!!
I love how Ms. Bowen writes and her dialogues are amazing!
Jenna is fantastic. It's abvious since the previous book that she and the Dowager Duchess are keeping big secrets!
The opening of the story is hilarious with the hero, Will, eavesdropping a conversation between them and understanding all the contrary of they'we talking about! While trying to defend his mother against some not better identified menace with a frilly parasol! LMAO!!!
Will is smitten with Jenna and his actions because of that are completly of of his character, but all the more fun because of that!
Janna is very clever and uses this attraction to avoid his questions and to distract him. And how she does it is fantastic!
But Will is not an idiot and he's aware since the beginning that something is hapening under his nose, and, after some very funny occurances, gets what's happeing!
The love story between Jenna and Will is sigh-worthy! Neither of them denies it and their passion if straitforward and hot.
But, besides the attraction and passion they connect very deeply emotionally, when Will understand and agrres on what Jenna and his mother are doing and grows because of that understanding; and when Jenna acknowledge Will's goodness and true compassion.
A wonderful wonderful romance I would recommand to everybody who loves a deeply touching, but at the same time fun romance!
January 16, 2016
There must be something seriously wrong with me to give 3 stars to a book Jill recommended.
Bravo to this author for writing about strong women that outshine the hero. You won't find that easily. Also, her books are very interesting from a historical perspective, depicting the harsh life conditions of women and the poor in the Victorian England and the blissful ignorance and neglect of the aristocracy.
The romance, however, once more didn't pull me in. Honestly, it was the last thing I cared about when reading this book. I attribute this to my current grumpy mood and encourage everyone to ignore this review and read the book as it is very very likely I would have loved it, had I read it in a different time in my life.
All in all, trust Jill, don't trust me.
Bravo to this author for writing about strong women that outshine the hero. You won't find that easily. Also, her books are very interesting from a historical perspective, depicting the harsh life conditions of women and the poor in the Victorian England and the blissful ignorance and neglect of the aristocracy.
The romance, however, once more didn't pull me in. Honestly, it was the last thing I cared about when reading this book. I attribute this to my current grumpy mood and encourage everyone to ignore this review and read the book as it is very very likely I would have loved it, had I read it in a different time in my life.
All in all, trust Jill, don't trust me.
May 27, 2015
WOW!! So good and very emotional read....review soon to come!! Keep these fab books coming Kelly Bowen!!
May 25, 2015
4 1/2 stars (rounded down to 4 stars, because Jenna's past and present behavior and Will's somewhat easy acceptance of it didn't feel historically right to me)
January 18, 2016
I am very sad to say that I did not finish this book. I struggled getting into it and dragged myself through about 25% of the book before I gave up entirely.
The reason? There is too much intentional deception going on, albeit the deception is well meant and it is to serve a greater good.
You see, Jenna and Worth's mother are in cahoots when it comes to swindling the rich to pay the poor, a very Robin Hood-esque scenario. I have no problem with what they are doing. What I have a problem with is what they say and do when Worth comes along, worried about his mother's reputation and soundness of mind, deciding that he will stay around to determine for himself, how much he needs to do to help his mother.
Jenna and Worth's mother put a lot of effort into their enterprise and they do not want Worth to find out about it (which is reasonable) so they spend a lot of additional effort hiding it from Worth and deceiving and manipulating him at every turn in order to keep him in the dark. All very skillfully done, mind you, but the sort of thing that does not sit well with me. So I got to 25% and couldn't take it anymore. I'm not willing to put in another 3 to 4 hours of reading effort to find out where the deception ends.
Aside from that, the story is well written, clever and witty. In fact, I really enjoyed the first book in the series (you can read my review here) and will likely check out the third when it comes out too.
The reason? There is too much intentional deception going on, albeit the deception is well meant and it is to serve a greater good.
You see, Jenna and Worth's mother are in cahoots when it comes to swindling the rich to pay the poor, a very Robin Hood-esque scenario. I have no problem with what they are doing. What I have a problem with is what they say and do when Worth comes along, worried about his mother's reputation and soundness of mind, deciding that he will stay around to determine for himself, how much he needs to do to help his mother.
Jenna and Worth's mother put a lot of effort into their enterprise and they do not want Worth to find out about it (which is reasonable) so they spend a lot of additional effort hiding it from Worth and deceiving and manipulating him at every turn in order to keep him in the dark. All very skillfully done, mind you, but the sort of thing that does not sit well with me. So I got to 25% and couldn't take it anymore. I'm not willing to put in another 3 to 4 hours of reading effort to find out where the deception ends.
Aside from that, the story is well written, clever and witty. In fact, I really enjoyed the first book in the series (you can read my review here) and will likely check out the third when it comes out too.
October 3, 2021
Regency. Some of this had more lust than love.
This featured intense duke, William "Will" & Jenna who
served as companion to his dowager duchess mother. He
was 'horse mad' for racing (he had a stud farm which
trained racing horses) & unknown to him, ditto for his
mom. Jenna's late sire was a vet. doctor to cavalry horses
and he taught her much of what she knew.
The duchess & Jenna tired of peers 'stiffing' merchants
for goods and services. And developed an elaborate plan
to help re-coup the merchants funds owed. Jenna was
deceptive and Will accusatory. They both stepped back
& both became more reasonable (overreacting less
often). I liked Will's bestie Heath & may read his story??
This featured intense duke, William "Will" & Jenna who
served as companion to his dowager duchess mother. He
was 'horse mad' for racing (he had a stud farm which
trained racing horses) & unknown to him, ditto for his
mom. Jenna's late sire was a vet. doctor to cavalry horses
and he taught her much of what she knew.
The duchess & Jenna tired of peers 'stiffing' merchants
for goods and services. And developed an elaborate plan
to help re-coup the merchants funds owed. Jenna was
deceptive and Will accusatory. They both stepped back
& both became more reasonable (overreacting less
often). I liked Will's bestie Heath & may read his story??
November 30, 2015
updated!
I LOVED this book and I LOVE this author!
Miss Jenna Hughes has an alter-ego. A Robin Hood-ette sort of ego. And her partner in crime is none other than Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Worth. You see, these two women head an amazing historical Ocean’s Eleven type horse-racing heist where they swindle from the rich and give back to the poor. The poor, in this instance, being the shopkeepers who have been reduced to bankruptcy when the ton decides they are above the law to pay for services already rendered. But in order to succeed in this heist, the women must engage in a year-long caper, meticulously designed and enacted by these two brilliant women. And they were going to succeed as they have in previous years, until the Duke of Worth decides to intervene.
William Somerhall, Duke of Worth, is done listening to the gossip that his mother in coming undone, what with her eccentric parties and affinity towards chickens. So he pays her a visit and decides he must stay, in order to salvage any remaining reputation her mother might still have. Only he didn’t expect to find the one woman haunting his dreams since he ran into her at his ball, a Miss Jenna Hughes, to be his mother’s companion.
And Miss Hughes, while playing the part of the dowager’s companion, though sassy and strong, lacks the strength to deny the connection and electricity she feels whenever she is around the Duke. Though the success of their escapade rides on her ability to direct the Duke’s attentions to anyone but her.
And thus we are captivated as these two begin their dance of chase (by the Duke) and deception (by Miss Hughes). The banter between these two along with the smoldering chemistry will have you pulling an all-nighter.
Will Jenna and the Dowager Duchess succeed in their heist? Will the Duke succeed in staying away from Jenna or will he succeed in bedding her? And will we have our Happily Ever After? Of course we will! And the ride is a hilarious one with a strong as nails heroine, one that I hope my daughter will be like as an adult.
A Good Rogue is Hard to Find has it all: secrets, seduction, comedy, personality, intrigue, chemistry, tension, ethics, and chickens. Just for the chickens alone, this book is worth it.
Original post for heroesandheartbreakers:
my link text
I LOVED this book and I LOVE this author!
Miss Jenna Hughes has an alter-ego. A Robin Hood-ette sort of ego. And her partner in crime is none other than Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Worth. You see, these two women head an amazing historical Ocean’s Eleven type horse-racing heist where they swindle from the rich and give back to the poor. The poor, in this instance, being the shopkeepers who have been reduced to bankruptcy when the ton decides they are above the law to pay for services already rendered. But in order to succeed in this heist, the women must engage in a year-long caper, meticulously designed and enacted by these two brilliant women. And they were going to succeed as they have in previous years, until the Duke of Worth decides to intervene.
William Somerhall, Duke of Worth, is done listening to the gossip that his mother in coming undone, what with her eccentric parties and affinity towards chickens. So he pays her a visit and decides he must stay, in order to salvage any remaining reputation her mother might still have. Only he didn’t expect to find the one woman haunting his dreams since he ran into her at his ball, a Miss Jenna Hughes, to be his mother’s companion.
He’d been hopelessly drawn to Miss Hughes that night of his ball, and now that he was in her presence, the affliction seemed to be getting worse. Perhaps because she was a complete departure from the overdone, over-scented overindulged females he’d been dealing with since he inherited his bloody title. Normally, in his presence, women preened and primped. They giggled and fluttered and hung on his every word. Jenna Hughes did none of those things. She didn’t tug or adjust the awful dress she was wearing, turning just so to give him the best view of her profile or her cleavage…She would say what she meant and mean what she said. There would be no coyness, no games. When he took her it would be raw. And physical and-
And Miss Hughes, while playing the part of the dowager’s companion, though sassy and strong, lacks the strength to deny the connection and electricity she feels whenever she is around the Duke. Though the success of their escapade rides on her ability to direct the Duke’s attentions to anyone but her.
He was sinfully handsome, what with his height and his broad shoulders and his devil-may-care aura, but she’d never been on the receiving end of his determination. She’d witnessed his charm and consideration before, but he presented these so effortlessly and with such natural kindness that she had always judged him to be a malleable sort of man. His determination had transformed him into something more dangerous that she wasn’t sure would be easy to manage. It sent an unwelcome shiver along her spine and raised the hair on the back of her neck. A determined Duke of Worth stole her breath.
And thus we are captivated as these two begin their dance of chase (by the Duke) and deception (by Miss Hughes). The banter between these two along with the smoldering chemistry will have you pulling an all-nighter.
“What the hell did you drop down the front of your dress?” he snarled.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jenna replied placidly. She had gotten herself out of stickier situations than this. Distract and deflect. She dropped her hands again.
“I demand to know what you took.”
“Nothing, Your Grace.”
“You have something in the front of your dress,” he snapped.
“I have since I was twelve years old.”
Will Jenna and the Dowager Duchess succeed in their heist? Will the Duke succeed in staying away from Jenna or will he succeed in bedding her? And will we have our Happily Ever After? Of course we will! And the ride is a hilarious one with a strong as nails heroine, one that I hope my daughter will be like as an adult.
A Good Rogue is Hard to Find has it all: secrets, seduction, comedy, personality, intrigue, chemistry, tension, ethics, and chickens. Just for the chickens alone, this book is worth it.
Original post for heroesandheartbreakers:
my link text
May 23, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
What a total delight.. or was it? Kelly Bowen really delivered an amazing book. Something I surely didn't see coming. A Good Rogue is Hard to Find is book two in her Lords of Worth Series and I found myself totally captivated.
Ms. Bowen pulled a complete and total sleight of hand on us and instead of a light hearted romp through regency England, we are delivered a daring report of acceptance, desire, revenge (the good kind?) and yes redemption. And all I can say is wow!!
Miss Jenna Hughes is on a mission. Years after watching her fiance loose everything, leaving her pregnant and alone, Jenna has finally found a way to help others in the same situation. After all even the upper class should have to pay their bills. You don't get to blather on about honor then leave the tradesman with nothing. Finally, she's in a position to help and has some pretty interesting partners, a former thief, a bookmaker and a dowager duchess. Things are running oh so smooth, that is until the Duke decides to move in to help his mother get her life straighened out.
William Somerhall, Duke of Worth has it pretty good. He gets to remain emotionally distant from the world, ignore a rather harsh and abusive childhood and focus his life and his honor on the racing world. He firmly believes that what is left of English Honor is at the racetrack (seriously? Even I know that has never been the case). What he doesn't need is his scatterbrained mother causing scandal.. The woman keeps chickens for pets for pete's sake. Finally forced to accept that his mother needs his help, William moves in and discovers an entirely new world that he was never aware of.
This book was brilliant, initially I laughed, hard. The interaction between the characters all determined to keep Worth ignorant of what they were really doing was truly fabulous. There aren't enough superlatives for me to use when describing this wonderfully, confusing dialog.. But it's when we are slowly shown what's behind door number 2 that the book gets really good.
We read about Regency England with all of it's glitz and glamour but there was a certain seediness about it as well. Ms. Bowen shares that seediness, that lack of honor, that edginess that is way more realistic than the glitz an glamour. Or maybe, sadly it isn't. There will always be the haves and the have nots.. just sometimes we need a real hero/heroine. And in A Good Rogue is Hard to Find, we get just that.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find, provided by netgalley.
What a total delight.. or was it? Kelly Bowen really delivered an amazing book. Something I surely didn't see coming. A Good Rogue is Hard to Find is book two in her Lords of Worth Series and I found myself totally captivated.
Ms. Bowen pulled a complete and total sleight of hand on us and instead of a light hearted romp through regency England, we are delivered a daring report of acceptance, desire, revenge (the good kind?) and yes redemption. And all I can say is wow!!
Miss Jenna Hughes is on a mission. Years after watching her fiance loose everything, leaving her pregnant and alone, Jenna has finally found a way to help others in the same situation. After all even the upper class should have to pay their bills. You don't get to blather on about honor then leave the tradesman with nothing. Finally, she's in a position to help and has some pretty interesting partners, a former thief, a bookmaker and a dowager duchess. Things are running oh so smooth, that is until the Duke decides to move in to help his mother get her life straighened out.
William Somerhall, Duke of Worth has it pretty good. He gets to remain emotionally distant from the world, ignore a rather harsh and abusive childhood and focus his life and his honor on the racing world. He firmly believes that what is left of English Honor is at the racetrack (seriously? Even I know that has never been the case). What he doesn't need is his scatterbrained mother causing scandal.. The woman keeps chickens for pets for pete's sake. Finally forced to accept that his mother needs his help, William moves in and discovers an entirely new world that he was never aware of.
This book was brilliant, initially I laughed, hard. The interaction between the characters all determined to keep Worth ignorant of what they were really doing was truly fabulous. There aren't enough superlatives for me to use when describing this wonderfully, confusing dialog.. But it's when we are slowly shown what's behind door number 2 that the book gets really good.
We read about Regency England with all of it's glitz and glamour but there was a certain seediness about it as well. Ms. Bowen shares that seediness, that lack of honor, that edginess that is way more realistic than the glitz an glamour. Or maybe, sadly it isn't. There will always be the haves and the have nots.. just sometimes we need a real hero/heroine. And in A Good Rogue is Hard to Find, we get just that.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find, provided by netgalley.
June 17, 2016
"Foolishly Jenna had thought herself happy these past years, doing what she was good at, surrounded by people she liked. And she had been... content. But now she knew something had always been missing. A hole that had been torn in the fabric of her life years ago had been, for a time, mended. Damn this man and his beautiful heart. Damn the circumstances that were forcing her to let go of something she hadn't known she wanted until it was too late."
I can't believe this book was even better than the first one but it was! The romance was even better integrated and compelling. Jenna and Will were such good fits. And of course we continue the exploits of the formidable Dowager Duchess of Worth, who has to be one of the greatest supporting characters in Historical Romances.
Jenna and Will are both very compelling and likable characters because they're both such do-gooders. Will has a bit of a chip on his shoulder because he believes people only see him for his title, and also because of the abuse that his father put him, his sister and mother through that he and his sister managed to escape after the DD of Worth sent both of them for their protection.
One part of this book is also very moving because it involves Jenna helping Will to mend the relationship between Worth and his mother Eleanor because distance has caused their relationship to distance and I REALLY LIKED THAT because Jenna has been Eleanor's closest confidante for years. And I just in general thought the whole dynamic of Will finding his purpose... Also he was super worshiping the ground Jenna walks on so great. In general Kelly Bowen's heroes always super worship the ground that the heroines walk on which I LOVE.
I can't believe this book was even better than the first one but it was! The romance was even better integrated and compelling. Jenna and Will were such good fits. And of course we continue the exploits of the formidable Dowager Duchess of Worth, who has to be one of the greatest supporting characters in Historical Romances.
Jenna and Will are both very compelling and likable characters because they're both such do-gooders. Will has a bit of a chip on his shoulder because he believes people only see him for his title, and also because of the abuse that his father put him, his sister and mother through that he and his sister managed to escape after the DD of Worth sent both of them for their protection.
One part of this book is also very moving because it involves Jenna helping Will to mend the relationship between Worth and his mother Eleanor because distance has caused their relationship to distance and I REALLY LIKED THAT because Jenna has been Eleanor's closest confidante for years. And I just in general thought the whole dynamic of Will finding his purpose... Also he was super worshiping the ground Jenna walks on so great. In general Kelly Bowen's heroes always super worship the ground that the heroines walk on which I LOVE.
February 13, 2017
The one thing I continue to love most about Kelly Bowen’s heroes and heroines is their inherent goodness and drive to do what’s right in an often morally grey world. It makes for poignant storytelling and heartfelt romances.
And while I didn’t feel as strongly about this book as I did its predecessor, I still liked it quite a lot, most notably Jenna and Lady Worth and their crusade of dishing out vigilante justice to the corrupt elite. Even failwhale Will held a certain charming appeal and most importantly of all, he worshipped the ground Jenna walked on. Jenna kept Will on his toes the entire time with her wit and strength of self; she was an incredible woman and he recognized that and fell in love with her because of it. It was also through Jenna that Will was finally able to heal the rift between him and his mother and I found this to be one of the story’s main highlights. I also loved how knowing Jenna awoken in Will a need to become a better person and use his ducal status for a greater good. In turn, Will’s support in her life’s mission provided Jenna not only with a huge confidence boost but also a new partner in work and in love.
I did think the plot sort of fell away for me towards the end and I wasn’t as in love with the main couple as I wanted to be. But overall this was a very fun and often times highly emotional read that I enjoyed very much indeed. I hope Kelly Bowen keeps the awesomeness going in Heath’s book.
And while I didn’t feel as strongly about this book as I did its predecessor, I still liked it quite a lot, most notably Jenna and Lady Worth and their crusade of dishing out vigilante justice to the corrupt elite. Even failwhale Will held a certain charming appeal and most importantly of all, he worshipped the ground Jenna walked on. Jenna kept Will on his toes the entire time with her wit and strength of self; she was an incredible woman and he recognized that and fell in love with her because of it. It was also through Jenna that Will was finally able to heal the rift between him and his mother and I found this to be one of the story’s main highlights. I also loved how knowing Jenna awoken in Will a need to become a better person and use his ducal status for a greater good. In turn, Will’s support in her life’s mission provided Jenna not only with a huge confidence boost but also a new partner in work and in love.
I did think the plot sort of fell away for me towards the end and I wasn’t as in love with the main couple as I wanted to be. But overall this was a very fun and often times highly emotional read that I enjoyed very much indeed. I hope Kelly Bowen keeps the awesomeness going in Heath’s book.
April 28, 2015
The Duchess nearly steals the show in this one but Jenna is a very admirable character and I couldn't help but smile at her sly ways of obtaining her goals and finding her purpose. William is one of those men you just want to hold and of course the history with his father is sad especially since it caused a chasm between himself and the Duchess. But, Jenna's gentle involvement in that relationship helps to bring the two closer.
William and Jenna are not only sizzling hot as a couple but also make a pretty good team. I predict the Duke, Jenna and the Duchess are in for many more wonderful adventures together. This is a highly entertaining and refreshing historical romance. I recommend it!
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. The read the review in it's entirety visit: http://www.nightowlreviews.com
William and Jenna are not only sizzling hot as a couple but also make a pretty good team. I predict the Duke, Jenna and the Duchess are in for many more wonderful adventures together. This is a highly entertaining and refreshing historical romance. I recommend it!
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. The read the review in it's entirety visit: http://www.nightowlreviews.com
March 20, 2015
I won an ARC of this book and loved it! I do not write plot spoilers but will say it was well written and original. You do not have to have read the first book of this series (I've got My Duke to Keep Me Warm)to enjoy this one, but it may help explain the hero's mother, the Dowager Duchess and her chickens. The Dowager is one of my favorite characters ever. Will and Jenna (H&h) are interesting, complicated and you will root for them. This book is out April 28 and I highly recommend it. I look forward to seeing this family in Kelly's next book "You're the Earl That I Want" featuring the Duke's best friend.
May 6, 2015
3.5 stars
The author definitely has potential, it was a humorous, enjoyable if ultimately forgettable read.
certain plot points strain credulity and the characters could have been more fleshed out and well rounded, I will however be trying this author in the future
The author definitely has potential, it was a humorous, enjoyable if ultimately forgettable read.
certain plot points strain credulity and the characters could have been more fleshed out and well rounded, I will however be trying this author in the future
June 3, 2015
4.5
Happy to have a new author to enjoy!
Happy to have a new author to enjoy!
October 9, 2015
A really fun read with zany antics that ended up being a front for more serious goings on. I am going back to pick up the first book and read the 3rd one right now.
March 20, 2019
3.5 Stars
A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find was another delightful entry in the Lords of Worth series with an amazing heroine and a wonderful group of side characters.
Miss Jenna Hughes has worked for years to ensure that those who are wronged receive what is theirs from the upper class who believe themselves above the law. With Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Worth, Jenna is able to accomplish her goal until the duchess’s son shows up throwing a wrench in their secret plans. After news of his mother’s eccentricities reach his ears, William Somerhall is determined to put a stop to the gossip and keep his mother from social ruin. However upon meeting his mother’s companion, William finds himself heading down a path to a scandal of his own.
Due to circumstances in her past, Jenna has a bit of a Robin Hood complex that I felt was entirely justified. Through Jenna’s experiences, we see a different side of the upper class that I haven’t seen mentioned much in other books. Watching Jenna work with the duchess is fantastic and I love how well the pair have their routines down.
At the start of the book, William is a bit of a pompous jerk and he got on my nerves with his high-handed attitude. He had no interest in knowing his mother and only wanted her eccentricities stopped because they reflected poorly on him. I was very happy to see him actually grow throughout the book and I liked him a lot more by the end of the story.
Jenna and William’s relationship begins with an immediate attraction between the pair that grows into so much more. Through Jenna, William learns so much about his mother and she helps him repair that relationship leaving all involved better off. Although William struggles a bit once he learns some of what Jenna does, he ultimately comes to accept that she’s right and offers his assistance with no strings attached. In my opinion their relationship was infinitely better once there were no more secrets between them, but it of course takes time for that to happen. Their physical relationship was fantastic from the start as the two have great chemistry on that front.
Eleanor is by far my favorite character in this series and I found myself loving her even more in this book. Eleanor has interests that lie outside of those considered acceptable for a woman and so she uses her position to put on the act that she’s lost it as no one would question a duchess, leaving her free to pursue whatever she wants in her free time. Her staff is made up of people she’s helped in the past and I loved their fierce loyalty to her. That all of the staff are in on Eleanor and Jenna’s schemes just makes everything better as I enjoyed when they would pop up to assist on some plan or another.
While I didn’t love A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find as much as the first book in the series, I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, it was still an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to reading the third book, You're the Earl That I Want, soon.
A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find was another delightful entry in the Lords of Worth series with an amazing heroine and a wonderful group of side characters.
Miss Jenna Hughes has worked for years to ensure that those who are wronged receive what is theirs from the upper class who believe themselves above the law. With Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Worth, Jenna is able to accomplish her goal until the duchess’s son shows up throwing a wrench in their secret plans. After news of his mother’s eccentricities reach his ears, William Somerhall is determined to put a stop to the gossip and keep his mother from social ruin. However upon meeting his mother’s companion, William finds himself heading down a path to a scandal of his own.
Due to circumstances in her past, Jenna has a bit of a Robin Hood complex that I felt was entirely justified. Through Jenna’s experiences, we see a different side of the upper class that I haven’t seen mentioned much in other books. Watching Jenna work with the duchess is fantastic and I love how well the pair have their routines down.
At the start of the book, William is a bit of a pompous jerk and he got on my nerves with his high-handed attitude. He had no interest in knowing his mother and only wanted her eccentricities stopped because they reflected poorly on him. I was very happy to see him actually grow throughout the book and I liked him a lot more by the end of the story.
Jenna and William’s relationship begins with an immediate attraction between the pair that grows into so much more. Through Jenna, William learns so much about his mother and she helps him repair that relationship leaving all involved better off. Although William struggles a bit once he learns some of what Jenna does, he ultimately comes to accept that she’s right and offers his assistance with no strings attached. In my opinion their relationship was infinitely better once there were no more secrets between them, but it of course takes time for that to happen. Their physical relationship was fantastic from the start as the two have great chemistry on that front.
Eleanor is by far my favorite character in this series and I found myself loving her even more in this book. Eleanor has interests that lie outside of those considered acceptable for a woman and so she uses her position to put on the act that she’s lost it as no one would question a duchess, leaving her free to pursue whatever she wants in her free time. Her staff is made up of people she’s helped in the past and I loved their fierce loyalty to her. That all of the staff are in on Eleanor and Jenna’s schemes just makes everything better as I enjoyed when they would pop up to assist on some plan or another.
While I didn’t love A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find as much as the first book in the series, I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, it was still an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to reading the third book, You're the Earl That I Want, soon.
December 9, 2017
I enjoyed this, my first book by Kelly Bowen. It was a tad over the top and fanciful but all in good humour and the characters were quite loveable and appealing.
April 23, 2021
Ça m'a beaucoup fait penser à du Tessa Dare, improbable mais très chou, avec une héroïne forte et indépendante comme je les aime ! (Par contre Bowen est plutôt inégale, un coup c'est top, un coup c'est bof bof)
April 28, 2017
Yes, yes, I know the book was making a point about economic and political inequality – but the Dowager Duchess with her razor sharp mind and outrageous masquerade, pulling a Scarlet Pimpernel over the whole of the Ton, stole the show.
Her ducal son Will and her companion-in-crime Miss Hughes also are a great couple as they dance around each other, no pretense of denials, both admitting immediately there is an attraction, with most of the obstruction coming from our heroine taking a reasonable amount of time to read him in on his mother’s vigilante scheming.
Also, there is a LOT about horse racing here – so you better like equine facts along with your egalitarian romance!
March 7, 2016
Bleh. It was just too damn boring and irritating.
September 8, 2017
It did take me a bit to get into it. All of the "mystery" was a bit annoying through at least 1/2 the book. There is a really sad thing that I could have went without. The cause they champion was interesting and a good topic to explore.
April 29, 2015
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
I saw this book on NetGalley and I went to elementary school with a girl whose last name was Bowen. Just in case this was her writing under a pseudonym, I thought I should try this book. Once I started reading it, certain names seemed familiar. So when I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that this was Book 2 in a series and that I had loved Book 1, I was thrilled that it would continue to be a good book but admittedly, a bit disappointed that my long lost school mate wasn't a famous author. Oh well...
I loved Jenna! She was so smart and funny, she was witty and clever too. Oh and she was decent and kind to boot! Her determination to get her "job" finished was admirable, brave and freaking impressive. I was worried for her the whole time, thinking she was always about to get caught. I shouldn't have worried - with a cohort like the Dowager Duchess of Worth, she can't go wrong! Since Jenna (and the Duchess) are plotting to essentially steal wealth from the titled men of the ton and re-distribute it to worthy people, it would have been tough to dislike her. She really IS like Robin Hood here. But the idea is all well and good - when it gets even better is when an example is shown, it made me just about fall in love with Jenna! Her plans involving the Ascot (the biggest horse race of the year) was a little complicated so although it might have taken me a while to catch on, it just showed how smart Jenna was. She's just a good person doing good deeds for the right reason.
Will was an excellent hero. He's a touch unlikable at first but only because he comes in and disrupts Jenna and the Duchess's plans. But he's so captivated by Jenna that he soon turns into a love struck teenager and that was entirely too funny. What was even better was that he KNEW that's how he was acting and at first, he couldn't help himself and then later, he just didn't give a damn. I loved that when Will was given the chance to do the right thing, he always did it, even if he didn't know what he was doing or why. I think my favorite moment with Will was when he went to St. Giles with Jenna to check up on a woman who recently gave birth. He was so entirely out of his element and his confusion was funny and endearing at the same time. But when it counted, he got his wits together and did what most aristocrats would not do - he put his money where his mouth was. Like Jenna, Will ended up being a good and honorable man.
The Sexy Time was pretty hot but there wasn't a ton of it. I don't mind not a lot of Sexy Time in historical romances though because back then, people couldn't just jump into bed with each other so this was no big deal for me. The romance was really great though. Will had seen Jenna a year before this boo takes place but she disappeared and although he looked far and wide, he never found her or found out any information about her. So when he sees her as his mother's companion, he's almost literally struck dumb. So Will knew he was into Jenna and once Jenna saw that he was a duke that was worthy of admiration, it didn't take long for her to fall for him! But they're different classes of people and a duke just doesn't marry a companion. It was fun to watch them fight their attraction for each other and then to finally give in to it.
Overall, I loved this book. This author is an auto-buy for me and I can't wait for the next installment of this series. But each book (so far) is definitely a stand-alone. I'm not even sure if the couple from Book 1 even make an appearance in this book. Although the Dowager Duchess was in Book 1, she has a much larger role in this one. But again, readers don't have to worry about reading Book 1 first. I really don't think it will matter. There are tons of laughs and plenty of close calls, where all of the best laid plans are about to come to ruin! I was on the edge of my seat a few times. There's a couple of more sad moments but lots of excitement. The main characters and the secondary characters were a lot of fun and very interesting, with complex back stories. I hope anyone who enjoys historical romance will give this book and this author a chance. I swear, you won't be disappointed!
I saw this book on NetGalley and I went to elementary school with a girl whose last name was Bowen. Just in case this was her writing under a pseudonym, I thought I should try this book. Once I started reading it, certain names seemed familiar. So when I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that this was Book 2 in a series and that I had loved Book 1, I was thrilled that it would continue to be a good book but admittedly, a bit disappointed that my long lost school mate wasn't a famous author. Oh well...
I loved Jenna! She was so smart and funny, she was witty and clever too. Oh and she was decent and kind to boot! Her determination to get her "job" finished was admirable, brave and freaking impressive. I was worried for her the whole time, thinking she was always about to get caught. I shouldn't have worried - with a cohort like the Dowager Duchess of Worth, she can't go wrong! Since Jenna (and the Duchess) are plotting to essentially steal wealth from the titled men of the ton and re-distribute it to worthy people, it would have been tough to dislike her. She really IS like Robin Hood here. But the idea is all well and good - when it gets even better is when an example is shown, it made me just about fall in love with Jenna! Her plans involving the Ascot (the biggest horse race of the year) was a little complicated so although it might have taken me a while to catch on, it just showed how smart Jenna was. She's just a good person doing good deeds for the right reason.
Will was an excellent hero. He's a touch unlikable at first but only because he comes in and disrupts Jenna and the Duchess's plans. But he's so captivated by Jenna that he soon turns into a love struck teenager and that was entirely too funny. What was even better was that he KNEW that's how he was acting and at first, he couldn't help himself and then later, he just didn't give a damn. I loved that when Will was given the chance to do the right thing, he always did it, even if he didn't know what he was doing or why. I think my favorite moment with Will was when he went to St. Giles with Jenna to check up on a woman who recently gave birth. He was so entirely out of his element and his confusion was funny and endearing at the same time. But when it counted, he got his wits together and did what most aristocrats would not do - he put his money where his mouth was. Like Jenna, Will ended up being a good and honorable man.
The Sexy Time was pretty hot but there wasn't a ton of it. I don't mind not a lot of Sexy Time in historical romances though because back then, people couldn't just jump into bed with each other so this was no big deal for me. The romance was really great though. Will had seen Jenna a year before this boo takes place but she disappeared and although he looked far and wide, he never found her or found out any information about her. So when he sees her as his mother's companion, he's almost literally struck dumb. So Will knew he was into Jenna and once Jenna saw that he was a duke that was worthy of admiration, it didn't take long for her to fall for him! But they're different classes of people and a duke just doesn't marry a companion. It was fun to watch them fight their attraction for each other and then to finally give in to it.
Overall, I loved this book. This author is an auto-buy for me and I can't wait for the next installment of this series. But each book (so far) is definitely a stand-alone. I'm not even sure if the couple from Book 1 even make an appearance in this book. Although the Dowager Duchess was in Book 1, she has a much larger role in this one. But again, readers don't have to worry about reading Book 1 first. I really don't think it will matter. There are tons of laughs and plenty of close calls, where all of the best laid plans are about to come to ruin! I was on the edge of my seat a few times. There's a couple of more sad moments but lots of excitement. The main characters and the secondary characters were a lot of fun and very interesting, with complex back stories. I hope anyone who enjoys historical romance will give this book and this author a chance. I swear, you won't be disappointed!
September 1, 2015
Like with I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, the first book in the Lords of Worth series, A Good Rogue Is Hard to Find had me instantly wanting the next book. (Sidenote: thus began the eternal dilemma: ebook or paperback? For once, the latter was cheaper than the ebook, but I really want the ebook. WHY? Now I don't have the book either way because DECISIONS ARE HARD.)
But man. The first half of this book practically had me snorting with laughter. Will's mom, who we meet in the first book, purposely cultivates an eccentric reputation. She keeps chickens in the house. She has other odd animals. When Will finally drags his feet to attend one of his mother's dinner parties, he's met with fleeing carriages down the drive and gets knocked to his ass by a fleeing chicken.
You guys. I adored the duchess. And Will has no idea what his mother is up to, nor that she's much MUCH sharper than she lets on. Circumstances in their past mean that they've grown apart, but Will is so determined to care and NOT be his father that his efforts to move in are sweet, if misguided.
And Jenna. That woman has secrets, for as much as she's honest and open with Will. I liked that she saw the good in Will, that she was able to see beyond the title -- because he needed that, too -- and that they were both well-suited to each other... you know, if only they could see things.
So the reason the first half of the book had me wanting to laugh and not the second half is that the situation started heating up (in more ways than one, if you know what I mean) and things got SERIOUS in the best possible way. It was difficult to put the book down. I had to know how it ended and whether or not Will and Jenna would get together. (Which is silly, because romance, but there you go.)
I like the way the romance unraveled. Kelly Bowen has a knack for delivering seemingly pointless (or harmless, I suppose) lines early in the book that come into play at the end in exciting ways. And certain scenes in this book made me wonder what Lady Viola (main character in the novella that follows this book) is up to, because I didn't completely enjoy her character in this book. (But not enough to not read.)
So. The second book was as good as the first, and for me, that's the hallmark of a great author. I look forward to whatever Kelly Bowen writes next.
But man. The first half of this book practically had me snorting with laughter. Will's mom, who we meet in the first book, purposely cultivates an eccentric reputation. She keeps chickens in the house. She has other odd animals. When Will finally drags his feet to attend one of his mother's dinner parties, he's met with fleeing carriages down the drive and gets knocked to his ass by a fleeing chicken.
You guys. I adored the duchess. And Will has no idea what his mother is up to, nor that she's much MUCH sharper than she lets on. Circumstances in their past mean that they've grown apart, but Will is so determined to care and NOT be his father that his efforts to move in are sweet, if misguided.
And Jenna. That woman has secrets, for as much as she's honest and open with Will. I liked that she saw the good in Will, that she was able to see beyond the title -- because he needed that, too -- and that they were both well-suited to each other... you know, if only they could see things.
So the reason the first half of the book had me wanting to laugh and not the second half is that the situation started heating up (in more ways than one, if you know what I mean) and things got SERIOUS in the best possible way. It was difficult to put the book down. I had to know how it ended and whether or not Will and Jenna would get together. (Which is silly, because romance, but there you go.)
I like the way the romance unraveled. Kelly Bowen has a knack for delivering seemingly pointless (or harmless, I suppose) lines early in the book that come into play at the end in exciting ways. And certain scenes in this book made me wonder what Lady Viola (main character in the novella that follows this book) is up to, because I didn't completely enjoy her character in this book. (But not enough to not read.)
So. The second book was as good as the first, and for me, that's the hallmark of a great author. I look forward to whatever Kelly Bowen writes next.
May 4, 2015
I confess some of the happenings went into unbelievable territory, but in this case, it works. A Good Rogue is Hard to Find is a book with a lot of heart.
The first half was a laugh riot as the heroine, Jenna helped by the Dowager Duchess struggle to keep the full extent of their operations undercover. The ensemble staff consisting of a thief-turned-butler and an explosives expert accountant were great fun to read. With careful planning, manufactured deception and hilarious explanations, the troupe runs circles around the hero Will.
The second half has a more serious tone as we firsthand get to see the consequences of an unequal society. The upper class considered it gentlemanly to honour their debts with one another, but the lower classes were rarely given the same consideration. This harsh realization pops the insulated bubble Will has lived in for so long, and he resolves to help. This is where the story weakens.
Jenna is an amazing protagonists and I can understand why Will falls for her, but all the time I was thinking, what does she see in him? Jenna, with her smarts and the Dowager Duchess, through her social status have already established a lot. Will plays a fairly passive role, and doesn't step in the only way he could- use his position as a peer and take the issue up in the Parliament. The finale does not deliver a thrilling conclusion, and instead chooses to play out a reconciliation between the lovers. While Jenna and the Dowager Duchess are doing all that they can to help others, albeit in an unethical manner, Will sees their actions as a corruption of the "sanctity of sport". Thus, he comes off as a hero not invested in his lover's and mother's ideals, but more inclined to racing horses and living life as one amongst the polished set.
A Good Rogue is Hard to Find has all the makings of a wonderful book- an interesting premise, witty characters and delightful humour. Ultimately, there was a gap in what the novel promised and what it delivered. With a different, more developed second half and an improved character trajectory for Will, it would have been one of my favourite novels for this year.
The first half was a laugh riot as the heroine, Jenna helped by the Dowager Duchess struggle to keep the full extent of their operations undercover. The ensemble staff consisting of a thief-turned-butler and an explosives expert accountant were great fun to read. With careful planning, manufactured deception and hilarious explanations, the troupe runs circles around the hero Will.
The second half has a more serious tone as we firsthand get to see the consequences of an unequal society. The upper class considered it gentlemanly to honour their debts with one another, but the lower classes were rarely given the same consideration. This harsh realization pops the insulated bubble Will has lived in for so long, and he resolves to help. This is where the story weakens.
Jenna is an amazing protagonists and I can understand why Will falls for her, but all the time I was thinking, what does she see in him? Jenna, with her smarts and the Dowager Duchess, through her social status have already established a lot. Will plays a fairly passive role, and doesn't step in the only way he could- use his position as a peer and take the issue up in the Parliament. The finale does not deliver a thrilling conclusion, and instead chooses to play out a reconciliation between the lovers. While Jenna and the Dowager Duchess are doing all that they can to help others, albeit in an unethical manner, Will sees their actions as a corruption of the "sanctity of sport". Thus, he comes off as a hero not invested in his lover's and mother's ideals, but more inclined to racing horses and living life as one amongst the polished set.
A Good Rogue is Hard to Find has all the makings of a wonderful book- an interesting premise, witty characters and delightful humour. Ultimately, there was a gap in what the novel promised and what it delivered. With a different, more developed second half and an improved character trajectory for Will, it would have been one of my favourite novels for this year.
March 21, 2021
This book did not live up to the rest of Kelly Bowen's work. First and foremost, for most of the book Jenna is lying. That's an immediate no-no from me. Other books have had characters keeping secrets, but the other character knows something is up and is simply waiting for them to reveal what's going on. Multiple times in this book Jenna promises she's keeping no more secrets, only to keep lying to Will. The excuse Jenna and the Dowager Duchess use is that they can't trust Will, but it's kinda their own fault. If they'd simply told/trusted him from the beginning of their scheme, much of the book would've been a nonissue. Instead, Will is kept in the dark and treated like he's a buffoon, not a fully grown man. There were a handful of really good scenes, but most of the book made me uncomfortable. This was definitely a disappointment, and it left me with a sour pit in my stomach after.
Also, there was a one-off scene were a main side character does something kinda evil, and yet it's never followed up on. Not in this book, and not in the next one. I don't know if I misread it or if something happened that I missed, but I didn't like it.
Also, there was a one-off scene were a main side character does something kinda evil, and yet it's never followed up on. Not in this book, and not in the next one. I don't know if I misread it or if something happened that I missed, but I didn't like it.
June 27, 2018
Well, a good rogue isn't that hard to find, because Will is a pretty great guy right from the start. I love that he wears his heart on his sleeve, he's pretty open with Jenna about his feelings. He's a beta hero, but still incredibly strong willed. He's wanting to change and learn to better not only himself but the lives of the less fortunate.
I thought Jenna was a refreshing heroine. Lots of secrets in this book. The dowager duchess was a lot of fun.
The horse racing plot at the end was a bit hard to follow, there was a lot of info thrown at the reader at one time. It ended pretty abruptly, but on a good and well deserved happily ever after.
And I think the thing I appreciated the most was that Will had a horrible father but he did not let his daddy issues consume him. He wanted to be a better man and father in spite of the abuse he saw and suffered. I'm so sick of the "my father was mean and I won't allow myself to love or have children because of him" plot. Will wanted to love and love well.
I thought Jenna was a refreshing heroine. Lots of secrets in this book. The dowager duchess was a lot of fun.
The horse racing plot at the end was a bit hard to follow, there was a lot of info thrown at the reader at one time. It ended pretty abruptly, but on a good and well deserved happily ever after.
And I think the thing I appreciated the most was that Will had a horrible father but he did not let his daddy issues consume him. He wanted to be a better man and father in spite of the abuse he saw and suffered. I'm so sick of the "my father was mean and I won't allow myself to love or have children because of him" plot. Will wanted to love and love well.
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